davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
New Years Calls in New York.

The custom of receiving calls on New
Years Day. so long a distinctive New
York institution, has almost died out A
few old fashioned people and families still
adhere to it, but some fall from the ranks
even of these with every new year, for
the most loyal adherent of ancient forms
and customs is not proof against the
neglect of those whom they are endeavor-
ing to serve, and it is not necessary to
stay at home, dress, and provide refresh
ment table for cards. The truth is, New
York has become too large for the obsery-
ance of such a custom, and social relations
too complicated. The young people do not
care about it, it sayors too much of old
Knickerbocker habits. They are more at
leisure than their Dutch ancestors They
meet the day before New Years and the
day after. Why should they make a spe-
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
NEW YEARS GIFTS.
BY E. LOUISE WEST.

Mrs. Dreswel called her husband into
the back parlor after tea. 81 want to
consult you seriously, my DEAR" she said,
with regard to our New Years presents. .
"Ah, yes" agreed Mr.. D., rafting his
watch chain with more energy than the
occasion seemed to require. "Oh, GER
tainlyr'
''You see" pursued Mrs. Dreswell,
gravely, "there are great many people
to whom we ought to give, butt
''Ha! hal yes indeed, butt Mr..
Dreswell opened up the interview with a
great appearance of mirth.
'sOf course, we cannot give to every
body. There are my family and your
family, / mean,' said Mrs. Dreswell,
looking confused, ''your family, and
well, both our families. Our families and
their children y continued the business
like little woman, land the servants -
Mr.. Dreswell's strong right hand,
employed in brushing troublesome
crumbs from his waistcoat, was now
lifted impressively. "My love, 1 sacri-
flee a large portion of my income
and deny myself many things for the pur-
pose of encouraging the servants to remain
in my house. Must also present them
with rich gifts? Gold from the mines of
the Indies? / tell you, Mary Ann, my
store is no such placer
'Ohl'' said Mrs. Dreswell, hastily, ssthe
servants are of small consequence, but
what shall we do for Aunt Mary Ann?"
Aunt Mary Ann be hangedp' said Mr..
Dreswell. He had known his merriment
could not stand the strain.
''But was named for her, and''-
''Then, my precious pet, y he chimed in,
sheerfully, ''if any presents do result from
that interesting connection, they will GER
tainly pour in from the other side; and
hope they may, hope they may"
sWell," she sighed, judiciously waiv-
ing the point again, there's Grandma
Miner"
eyes," he responded suavely, there's
Grandma Miner-there she is
ga nice knitted shawl" she suggested
Certainly, certainly The very thing
/ haven't much change to-night''-Mr
Dreswel searched his pockets-'swould q
quarter do?''
''Why," said Mrs. D., surprised into
smiling ''you can't get nice shawl for a
quarter-the ideal"
Not get a nice shawl for quarters
roared Mr.. Dreswell, Indignantly. 'tTh1l
you ought to, that's all. What are the
stores good for? Go to Racy's, that's the
place. Why the women are pouring in
there all day long, getting lots of cheap
things. l should think you'd know''-
My dear, be stillr' he was headed off
at last; 81 have priced them there, and
they are very high.''
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
walked up stairs.

Two weeks had slipped away, and New
Years was near at hand, when, one morn
ing, Mr.. Dreswen arrived at his place of
business at the usual hour. 1t was early.
Mr.. Dreswell always had his family up
betimes, impressing upon them that every
minute represented just so many dollars
to him, and then began the arduous labors
of the day by reading his paper for an
hour or so by the red hot office stove.
Advertisements of holiday goods in large
type filled his eyes, and these recalled to
Mr.. Dresweu his conversation with his
wife, and the impending doom of holiday
giving which hung over his own head.
1t was not that he was unable, out of his
plentiful means, to do this thing nor that
his wife was not economical and sensible,
though her feelings on the matter never
even occurred to him. but he hated, on
principle, to give something for nothing,
and as he bestowed on his paper an angry
FLIP, he averred that it was all nonsense.
Then he took an easier position and con-
tinued his reading. Suddenly the door
opened, and a lad put his head in.
"a bill, sur.
"Where from?'' said Mr.. Dreswell,
shortly.
'sRacy's, sur.''
s'What for?'
'sWant the money, sur-takinconto'
stok, sur"
''I'lI come and see them about it,"
The gentleman spoke promptly, but he
was greatly surprised. Mrs. Dreswell
always dealt for cash, and beholdi here
were several expensive articles charged
against both his name and mis- express
orders. Mr.. Dreswell was still rapt in
disgusted amazement when a bill from
Bootlyer's arrived and then one from
Eighteenth avenue, and among the arti-
cles was knitted shawl. Ten minutes
later another man tramped in and found
the head Of the firm in a condition SO
nearly bordering on insanity that he
was rejoiced to get away uninjured.
As for Mr. Dreswell he tore the long
towel off its roller and bound it
tightly around his head to keep his
great brain from bursting. Then throwing
off his coat and examining all his bills into
the crown of his shining high hat, he
dashed madly to the outer door, and sit
ting down in front of it, held the hat out
in both hands.
"Come on, he shouted, in bitter fury,
s'I said she hadn't any will. Bring 'em
ini l told her she lacked will power.
Pile 'em up. told her she ought to be
determined Here 1 am! told her she
didn't know anything. I'm the very fool
they want, every timel''
A couple of frightened boys here
slipped in and contributed few hills
from various places, Mr.. Dreswell moan
ing and groaning increasingly But Ee
paused presently to read note:
NY OWN PRECIOUS LOVE- thought the
easiest way in regard to our holiday pres
ents was the best. They are all sent and
off my mind and feel quite happy. Ycu
will surely approve of the bills, for they
are very reasonable. Your own devoted
and loving WIFE.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
,yoman,s Heaadress in venezuela.

Nowhere in America south of Wash
ington and north of probably Rio Janeiro
have I noticed such remarkable taste in
dressing, and it would be decided advan-
tage to the senoritas of Mexico and Central
America if they would take their
modes from Caracas. The reboso, or
Spanish veil, has been discarded by the
Caraquenas, and very well made coquet-
tish hats in the ..latest'' Partisan style
have been adopted. Rebosos are only
worn by a few ladies Of the middle
classes, especially on Sundays at church,
while women of the lower classes throw
white silk shawls over their heads. Ne.
crosses wear here, as indeed all over the
West Indies, gaudy colored bandana
handkerchiefs wound around their heads.
-E. De Hesse Wartegg in New York
Sun.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
soLlLoouY OF A TURKEY.

Christmas, with all IT happy thoughts,
Its greetings and goodly cheer,
Has passed away, and now today
We greet the glad New Year.
Yet still I'm sad, when I should be glad,
To think am sitting here.
My brother and sister and wife have gone
To the land where turkeys go;
In every bone feel alone,
And my feathers are dropping low.
For what is life without wife
In this queer land below?
Alackadayl and oh, dear me!
don't know what I'll do;
My family ties have been cut short,
And I'm feeling very blue.
almost wish had made dish
At the family dinner, too.
/ feel, alasl am growing old,
And the thought of it makes me sigh;
am doomed to sit, while the shadows fit
Across the evening sky,
Thro' many night. Yet they say it's right
For am too tough to die!
ToM MASON.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31

Scarcely human he seems somehow,
AS he steals along the street,
Like faint shadow of bygone things,
With his listless, frozen feet;
And he almost falls as he creeps to gate
And crouches with desolate cry:
''Mother, OH mother, make me get warm,
Or tell Jesus to please let me die.''
wondered, as saw them raise
The corpse of that friendless one
Whether twas better to die as he died
Than to live as he had done;
Ard almost forgot that he had starved,
For that cold and shelterless gate
Had been the portal to paradise,
Where the welcoming angels wait.
But yet wondered if those that saw
That piteous, still young face
Would, when they met starving child,
Fer think of the time and place
Where they helped to lift that little form,
With its frozen look of pain,
And, thinking of him so wan and white,
Pass hungry face again. %. II.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31

my DEAR SON-I received your letter
and hasten to inclose you the money
which you need, and hope that it will Sc
cure your promotion. The $40 which
you require to pay for the $40 worth of
fowls would never stand in the way of my
sending you So to pay for the lost pass
word, and SO l send you the dollar which
is to keep you out of the guard house and
on the road to promotion, after which you
can come home New Years.
1sYour affectionate father.''
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
United state. Postage stamps.

The United States has been, without
doubt, the most prolific of all countries in
the world in the issue of postage stamps,
having put forth over 500 different yarie-
ties altogether The number of distinct
varieties issued by the various govern
ments throughout the world is variously
estimated, but 5000 would probably cover
the whole. Chicago Herald.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31

ltiiioSs who are really awake to the
sights and sounds which the procession
of the months offers them find endless en-
tertainment and instruction. Yet there
are great multitudes who are present at
as many as threescore and ten perform
ances, without ever observing the chief
actors In the great drama.-LoweL
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31

elbow I pity the poor such night as
this, said Blande, as he sat in his COM
Portable apartment. ''Then why, asked
Bluff, ''don't you put on your coat and
go out and see if you cannot render assist
ance to some of them? "Ah, y replied
Blande, ''then / should not be so COM
Portable as am now, and might forget
the poor and begin to pity myself. That
would be selfish, you know"
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31

The man who will not execute his reso-
lutions when they are fresh upon him can
have no hope from them afterwards; they
will be 6lissipated, lost and perish in the
hurry Of the world or in the slough of in
iiplence.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
New Years Berls.

Harkl the merry bells are ringing,
Yet another year has passed.
What the baby year is bringing
Mortal cannot well forecast.
May its days be sweeter, brighter,
Than the year that now is past;
May its burdens all be lighter
And its blessings longer last.
Ring out, sweet bells!
The New Year comes;
Ring out, sweet bells,
To all our homesl
A coming year
OF joy reveal
AS loud We ring
Exultant pealsl Edward Oxenford.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
u,nner OF r1sn, Jan. L, I4.v.

Given by the Irish lords to the maire
and his brethren aldermen of London.
First course:
Brawne and mustarde, ded ellyes in burneur.
frument, with balein (whale); pyke in erhage,
lamprey, powdered; trought, codlyng, playes,
fryed; marling, fryed; crabbys, leche lumbard,
foryshed; tartys
The second course was:
Gely, colered with columbine flowers; white
potage, or creme of almandes; breme of the sea,
eongour, solys, cheven, barbyll, with rache;
freshe samon, haly-but, gurnarde, rochet,
broyled; smelth, fryed; creyys or lobster;
lamprey, fresh baken; fampeyne, fiourished
with royal scochon.
The third course was:
Dates in compost, creme molte, carpe deere,
turbut, fench, perche with goion, freshe stur-
geon with welkes, porperous rosted, mennes
frycd, crevis de cave douce, pranys, elys roasted
with lamprey Aleche, called the whyte leche,
fonrished with blackthorn leves and red hawes,
and great marche pain ginger cake), on which
was wrought the names of all the guests.
The account tells how each diner was
furnished with patty to take home to
his family, which contained little of
every dish served at the table, which il
appears was the custom those days.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31

AN OLD FASHIONED NEW YEARS.
cial thing of meeting on New Years Day?
The day is still kept, however, but in a
different way. Dinners, entertainments,
country parties and merry makings, rides,
impromptu dances and the like have taken
the place of making and receiving calls.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
The second course was:
The third course was:
Names of the Months.

The Roman names of the months, as
settled by Augustus, have also been used
in all Christian countries excepting Hol-
land, where the following set of names
prevails:
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
ExPosycIoN OF THE syNEs.

A4narius es a syne in the whilk the son es
in Jany, and in that moneth are 7plyos dayes,
the l. 2 A. 8, 6, IS, 10, and if thoner is heard in
that moneth it betokens CRETE wynde, mykel
fruite, and batel. Aquarius is hote, moyste, san
guyne, and of that ayre it es code to byg cas-
tells, or hous, or to wed.
The first almanac printed in Europe was
probably the Kalendarium Novum, by
Regiomontanus, calculated for 1475, 1894
and 1913. 1t was published in Buda,
Hungary. Richard Pynson, in 1897,
printed the first English almanac, trans
lating it from the French, and calling it
The Sheapheard's Kalendar.
Almanacs were largely prophetic in
those days, and most readers Of this will
remember the patent medicine almanacs
of their younger days, in which would oc-
cur in italic type, stretching half
way down the page and covering
fully a fortnight's time, such predictions
as these: "About this time we
may expect hail, snow or rain, accom-
panied by variable Winds" or 'Look out
for clear calm weather, with rising tenn
perature and possibly violent thunder
storms'
In an almanac published in 1864, called
Poor Robin, occurs this remarkable
humorous representation for January:
"There will be much frost and cold
weather in Greenland. Possibly Ben
Franklin got suggestion for the title of
his famous "Poor Richards Almanac"
from Poor Robin.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
A Little Diplomat.

A little girl about comes to her father,
who is reading. Pretty and merry face
Father bends in listening attitude
'sPapa, ] want to ask your advice.
"Well, my dear, what is it?''
'sWhat do you think it will be best for
you to give me New Year's?''
The wave is breaking on the shore
The echo fading from the chime
Again the shadow moveth DER
The dial plate of timel Whittier.
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31

Meets in the Library and Lyceum Build,
ing, South street, first Friday evening OF
each month.
George T. Werts, Mayor; Alexander
Chisolm, Recorder Phanett G.. Barker,
Patrick Farrelly, Aldermen; james c.
Dustan. Edwin A: Doty. Robert D. Foote.
Thomas Malley, Frank Schureman, Couns
cilmen; c. Augustus Muir, Clerk and
1'rna
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31

ia! HA!-lES INDEED.
ssNeH, don't go there thenl Pass the
store. You should have tried Boot1yer'a
ut first. y
81 did, and they are just as high. You
ncedn't''
ssGreat starsl isn't that like womanl
Now, are there no more than two stores
in town? Aren't they as plenty as huckle
berries9 What is the necessity of shop
ping on the best streets, anyhow I'll
wager fifteen dollars you never thought
OF gong half dozen yards out Of your
way, over to Eighteenth Avenue
Eyes, I did, John, and it was no
use''
ssNow, Mary Ann, hush hushl stop
right there. What you lack, what
you've always wanted, SO to speak, is
a good, strong win. BY Jovel a man
ought to look out for that in wife.
You should be determined to get thing
for certain sum, and then get it. That's
what I'd do What vnn mead ia will
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
EARLY CALENDARS.
The Clog Almanac-The First Written
and Printed Almanacs.

The Clog Almanac-The First Written
and Printed Almanacs.
Not every reader of these lines knows
why the calendar is SO called, nor the
reason for naming one of the most indis-
pensable of modern handbooks the alma
nae
It was customary in old Rome to pro-
claim the first of each month, that the
people might know the dates for the con-
stantly recurring religious festivals. A
notice of the beginning of each new
month was also affixed in public place,
and the 1st of the month took the
name Kalendae or Kalends, from the
Greek verb meaning to CALL while to the
posted notice was applied the name Faste
Calendares. Later book of accounts re-
ferring to DAYS was called Calendarium
calendar, and from this we have derived
our word, applied nowadays not only to a
condensed almanac, or exposition of time
divisions generally, but of late years to
those dainty publications loved SO well
by young women wherein each day of the
year is provided with passage from some
favorite author. An old stone calendar
found at Pompeii is in the form of square
block, upon each of the four sides of
which are registered three months, in per-
pendicular columns, the proper sign of
the Zodiac heading each. Agricultural
and religious information is given as well
as astronomical
The name almanac was derived from
the SaXons, who, according to a quaint
chronicler named Verstegen, FUSED to en-
grave upon certaine squared sticks, about
foot in length, or shorter, or longer, as
they pleased, the courses of the incomes of
the whole yere, whereby they could al
wales certainly tell when the new incomes,
full incomes and changes should happen,
as also their festival daies, and such a
carved stick they called al-mon -aught,
that is to say, al-mon-heed, to wit, the
regard or observation of all the moones."
The Clog almanac described by Dr. Robert
Plot and found by him in the northern
countries of Europe in 1886 was probably
q modification of the al-mon-aught 1t
was square stick of box or other hard
wood, on which the days and months were
designated by variously shaped notches.
Properly, it was perpetual almanac, de-
signed to show the Sundays and other
fixed holidays of the year only.
The earliest written almanacs were
those of Solomon Jarchus, published in
the Twelfth century Pebrus de Dacia
published an almanac in the year 1900
and thereafter they became more common
with every year. Astrology was always
exhaustively treated of in these early al
manacs, and the following is an extract
from an almanac for 1886:
The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-12-31
Rnard of Education.

John D. Guerin, Stephen Pierson, Geo.
w. COLES. Fl. A. Freeman. Joseph II. Van
Doren, Frank H. Fairchild, E. 0. Peck,
Enoch 4. Caskey, F. ]. Richters.
John D. Guerin, President; Edward c.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-03-24
Although this report is not ~ fav,
ROACa RsEORAGD HIN.
How the Great shipbuildsr Cured . Drunks On
Empioye.

How the Great shipbuiider Cured . Drunken
Empioys.
From the Sailors Mssssine.
John Roach, the late famous shipbuilder,
believed In the law OF kindness In dealing
with erring men. Out of the twenty-five
thousand men employed by him first and
last there were seventy found guilty Of crimi.
nal conduct He saved sixty of them. This
10 his story Of the way he reformed . 4" con-
hrmed drunkArd." The man was . I" master
"He had terrible sprees and had them
pretty often. He would come raving into the
shops, disgracing himself and disgusting
everybody. When sober he was penitent
and fOrgave him and took him back again
and again. appealed to him till there
seemed 70 be nothing else to appeal to- One
morning he came in after one OF his sprees
and said: MIR. Roach, I want you to dis
charge me. You can't make anything OF me.
trust over and over. You took me up when
] had nothing to do, and you learned me
your trade and paid me good wages an d have
bore with my faults till It amt human to ask
Nike said l, Il won't discharge you,
but III let you resign. III write your resig
nation tor an idea struck me. went to my
desk and wrote:
"JoHN RoAcH-S1R: You helped me
when Was pennilesa You gave me work
when l was idle You taught me when
was ignorant You have always paid me
we'll You have borne with my inhrmities
over and over. But I have lost my self.
respect and have not enough regard for you
or love for my wife and children to behave
like . man, and therefore hereby withdraw
from your employment
81 gave 1t to him and said Il want you to
promise me one thine-thst you will always
carry this with you, and that, when about to
take glass OF liquor, you will take this out,
read it Sign 1t and mail 1t to me before you
drink He promised solemnly that he would.
He staid in my employ tor years and was
never drunk again"
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-03-24
Chasgsd Win Embe.slsmsns

Joel g. Reifhnyder, general agent for Berks
aad Lancaster counties for the Peoples Live
6tock Insurance company, Of Philadelphia,
vas arrested in this city on "wednesday BY
Constable Wagner. charged BY Dr. x. Harry
Oleavsr with embezxling funds belopging to
~ company. The amount enhbexxlsd 10 not
- known. Rsifsnyder wss committed in
desAnie Of bail for hearing before Aide rman
Deahard, Of Reading.
Rsifsnyder lived In Lancaster for year or
@oso ana u Weli'known here Several
mnnths ago he went to Reading.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-03-24

CHICAGO, March ?s Tho Drore~s' Journal re-
ports Cattle-Receipts, 500 head shipments.
l.so As.. A00a 90; stochers and feeders, - 70
- cows. bulls and mixed. q ma - bulk,
Hogs-keceipts. lSuO head shipu,ents. 5000
head market higher and easy rough and
500; light, 8 U0S IS; skips. - .o04 III
sheep-Receipts, 500 head shipmente, sMo
western; No04 %; Texans, q oo0t 10; lambs,
EAST LfBnRrr. Cattle - Receipts. 70 head /;
ebipments, IS market fair prime, ob00 Is !;
fair to good, S00% IS; common. et6t Is /; ship
msnts 70 New York. none.
Hogs-Receipts, 80 head shipments l,6OO
head !; market slow: Philadelphia. . 2SDe IS /;
forkers. ea 7o3o 80; common to light 8 s0oS 90 ;
pigs SOS Is shipments ts TO sew York, none.
sheep Receipts, l.&O head shipments, LOO /;
market slow; prime, es SOS ~ fair to good
81 's0a ~ common, % so6a 70 lsmbs, = 7U0s ~
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-03-24

ncFADDII In this city. on March ss, 1857,
John AcSsdden, In ,he ssLh year of his age.
The relatives and friends Of the family are re.
spectfuliy invited TO attend the funeral from his
late resiospre, No. IA West Vine street, on Sat-
ur6ay morning At Q O'Clock. Intsrmsnt ct It,
Mays cemetery.
JoHD1RsNIrz. In this city, ON the 23d inst.
Anna =. fonDersmith, widow Of the late Henrv
G. 1onDersmith, in the 9Th year OF her age
The relatives and friends OF the family are 70.
spsctfully invited TO attend the funeral from
her late residence, No. s07 East King street, on
saturday afternoon At . o'clock. Intsrment At
Woodwsr Hill cemetery. atd